Pay for a ballpark? Why?

It sounds like I may have to pay higher property taxes to fund a ballpark in North Augusta. I wonder: Why does the public need to fund a highly profitable business – one that can handsomely pay its players, employees and executives? We do not pay taxes to build a Wal-Mart, Lowes, Target, etc. Why do we need to pay the baseball owners of the world to build their businesses? It’s not like they can’t come up with the money. They can pay mega-millions.

Do they really bring in that much money for the city? I imagine all the food, drinks and ticket sales go to the ball park, not the city. Not that many fans are going to stay in town at the motels/hotels or eat in the restaurants.

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The writer asks a valid question. Bodhisattva did not answer it. It is too bad that the letter writer brought retail stores into the question, because they add no meaning to discussion of the question.

The question is whether taxpayers should finance structures for businesses to operate in. The answer is, NO! Taxpayers should finance structures for only government to operate in.

If we would keep this principle in mind, taxes would go down for everyone because government spending would plummet. The resulting economic boom in the free market would be astounding.

Atlanta is bending over backwards for the new stadium.....believe it or not but "others" will feel the flow of dollars falling on their back when the games begin....it is not all bad nor is it all good.

IF YOU DON'T believe these people are getting their pockets lined ( BIG TIME ), THEN you are greatly fooled ! AGAIN, I wish the local news media would do an investigative report on The Project Jackson !! I THINK I smell a RAT even before ground is broken !!!!

Because it is a lot easier to convince stupid, and crooked, politicians to spend YOUR money on a facility that cannot pay for itself than it is to convince a private investor to build a facility that cannot pay for itself.

It is the ultimate "transfer of wealth" only this one transfers hard working taxpayers' money to RICH people. Just like our TEE Center, Parking Deck, and Marriott hotel. And if you are really lucky, you will get JUST AS BAD OF A DEAL paying the same rich people for operation and maintenance of as we did.

It is the businessman using free will and his own money or borrowed money who makes investments. When taxpayers are coerced into paying for structures for business, that is not called investment; it is called plunder. So few people understand economics these days.

I, being only one citizen, look forward to going to the ballgames or other venues at the ballpark. Yes, a few will make money but that has never stop anyone from enjoying spending money on entertainment. I hope the Jackson project succeeds.

If it's such a good deal, why can't the investors just put up the cash without having to use schoolhouse money? Wish I could borrow a few thousand off the school to pay off my mortgage. Oh snap, I forgot I'm being taxed by the school and they are giving the money to the investors.